Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) plans to install a communications antenna on the west side of its rail yard to support the control of locomotives remotely.
During its July 27 regular meeting, city council voted unanimously to issue a letter of municipal agreement to CPR so the company can construct the 22.86-metre (75-foot) antenna on its property, subject to any landscaping that city administration deems acceptable. Also, city hall will contact the Moose Jaw Radio Control Aircraft Club to determine whether there could be a conflict in the usage of bandwidth between the community group and CPR.
Council had to approve the construction of the antenna support structure since this was a discretionary use application.
Structure construction
CPR has applied to construct an antenna support structure composed of an 18.6-metre (61-foot) wood pole with a 4.3-metre (14-foot) antenna, for a total of 22.86 metres (75 feet), a council report explained. The railway company plans to construct a small aluminum shelter adjacent to the repeater that is required to support the remote control of locomotives.
Council discussion
While this is a discretionary use application, city administration has no concerns about it, said Jim Dixon, economic development manager. This is on the west side of the rail yard and city hall has not received any concerns from neighbouring residents.
The Moose Jaw Radio Control Aircraft Club has an airstrip in that area and operates aircraft with a specific range of bandwidth, said Coun. Brian Swanson. He wondered what would happen if there was a conflict in that area with bandwidth issues.
“I wouldn’t want the locomotives taking off and plummeting into the ground,” he joked. “Do we have control in that area to control bandwidth issues?”
Federal agencies such as Transport Canada look after those concerns, said Dixon. If there is an issue, it will look into it.
Appearing by video, a representative for CPR said it could consult with the community group if council wants that. The representative pointed out there are radio towers throughout Canada where CP operates, so it complies with federal standards elsewhere.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, Aug. 10.
